Dan Trcka
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Followers (47)
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Following (5)
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Reviews (1016)
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Updated September 2013.
....Dear reader, allow me to introduce myself, my name is Daniel Trcka and much like yourself, I am a wine enthusiast.
My wine story
....I am inherently curious and have always had the need to figure out how things work – this drive has led me to become as I am today. It is always interesting how passions evolve before they become entities that engulf oneself and become him or herself. My passion began the day when I decided to make my own wine. Thinking that my creation must fare better than the cheapest 1.5L table wine I went ahead and surprisingly achieved it. Naturally, this then led to a simple question “what makes one wine better than another”? The somewhat complicated answer took me on a quest to learn about the complexity and the range of ‘tastes’ – first seeking the answer in a pursuit of knowledge (I highly recommend reading a 926 page book titled WINE by Andre Domine), and then finding it by training my sense of smell (54 scent Les-Nes-Du-Vin kit, also highly recommended) and learning how to listen to it. Subsequently, natural progression (for me) was to share my passion and the newly gained knowledge, and so I started reviewing wines on the WineAlign website, and Natalie MacLean’s site, but these not fully satisfying my need to express myself, I developed this webpage and launched it on July 19th, 2012.
My palate
....Let’s face it, I love red wines and even though I appreciate white wine, I really enjoy reds. My palate is quite varied, meaning that I enjoy all sorts of wines ranging from light bodied aromatic Pinot Noirs, fruity Barberas or tannic Nebbiolos to full-bodied green Carmeneres, refined Cabernets or jammy Malbecs or Shirazes. If I go by the numbers, then in the not-so-distant-past, Rioja’s Tempranillo followed by Piedmont’s Nebbiolo and Tuscan Sangiovese were the most common guests on my dinner table; though recently Ontarian wines (mainly whites) have become quite frequent and welcomed visitors. I enjoy wines that spent some time in oak, acquiring some toasty/woody notes that add to their complexity; prefer mid-aged (integrated) wines, but don’t shy away from youthful and fruitful ones; and I pay attention to the trueness of the grape. I hope that knowing this will help in deciding whether my palate matches yours.
Other than wine, what do I do
....I am fortunate to work in a prestigious research institute, on a fascinating, cutting edge project, for a professor who is one of the smartest men I know and with colleagues that are a friendly, knowledgeable bunch. We are trying to understand what makes stem cells – stem cells; specifically, we convert regular cells into stem cell like cells, using mice and mouse cells as our model. We then use these cells to generate mouse embryos, from which we isolate differentiated embryonic cells and induce them to undergo secondary, synchronized reprogramming into a stem cell like cells. We can study this secondary reprogramming and gain insights that bring us ever closer to personalized medicine in hope that one day we, the mankind, will be able to convert one’s cells into body’s deficient or damaged cells thus restoring health.
My contribution to scientific advancement
– MBNL proteins repress ES-cell-specific alternative splicing and reprogramming.
.. Nature June 13th, 2013.
– A late transition in somatic cell reprogramming requires regulators distinct from the pluripotency network.
.. Cell Stem Cell December 7th, 2012.
– Discoidin domain receptor-1 deficiency attenuates atherosclerotic calcification and smooth muscle cell-mediated mineralization.
.. American Journal of Pathology. November 5th, 2009.
– Collagen stimulates discoidin domain receptor 1 mediated migration of smooth muscle cells through Src.
.. Journal of Cardiovascular Pathology. January 19th, 2010.
– The in vitro real-time oscillation monitoring system identifies potential entrainment factors for circadian clocks.
.. BMC Mol Biol February 16th, 2006.
Contribution Acknowledgement
– Matrix-dependent adhesion of vascular and valvular endothelial cells in microfluidic channels.
.. Lab Chip August 7th, 2006.
– Transcriptional oscillation of canonical clock genes in mouse peripheral tissues.
.. BMC Mol Biol June 16th, 2004.
– Fez1 is layer-specifically expressed in the adult mouse neocortex.
.. European Journal of Neuroscience December 2nd, 2004.
Reviews
Hardys Bankside Shiraz 2012, South Australia
Australia$8.95
The 2012 Hardy’s Bankside Shiraz has fullish aromas of blackberry and prune on the nose + palate, and is also joined by dates on the latter. It is a medium to full bodied, dry/off-dry, fruity wine; with good acidity, refined tannins and a medium finish. Should pair well with spicy foods, drink now to 2017 (screw cap enclosure). My impression: NOTHING SPECIAL to NICE, 86 pts. Tasted in Feb/15 at 'Shiraz Week at iYellow Wine Cave' http://grapeselections.com/grapeselections/wine-reviews/.
See my wine recommendations readily available at the LCBO here:
http://grapeselections.com/grapeselections
or here @
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
3.0 Stars
(0)G
Kacaba Terrace Vineyard Syrah 2011, VQA Niagara Escarpment
Ontario, Canada$24.95
The 2011 Kacaba Terrace Vineyard Syrah, which spent in French Oak 12 months, has intense aromas of lees, pomegranate, cranberry, black cherry as well as some barnyard notes. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity wine; with forward acidity, tight tannins and a medium finish. This is a food friendly wine; drink now – 2018+. My impression: NICE, 89 pts. This wine was featured at both Cuvée Grand Tasting and Cuvée en Route. Tasted Mar/14 at Cuvée en Route http://grapeselections.com/cuvee-2014/
See my wine recommendations readily available at the LCBO here:
http://grapeselections.com/grapeselections
or here @
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
3.0 Stars
Aure Umoja Cabernet Franc 2011, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$14.75
The 2011 Aure Wines Umoja Cabernet Franc, aged in French Oak for one year, has attractive aromas of eucalyptus, pine, black cherry and vanilla on the nose and black cherry, cherry and vanilla on the palate. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity wine; with refreshing acidity, refined tannins and a medium to long finish. This is a food friendly and sipping wine; drink till 2018 (cork enclosure). My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 88-89 pts – recommended for its quality. Tasted in Oct/14 at 'Taste Ontario 2014' http://grapeselections.com/taste-ontario-2014/.
See my wine recommendations readily available at the LCBO here:
http://grapeselections.com/grapeselections
or here @
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
3.0 Stars
(0)G
The Foreign Affair The Conspiracy 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$19.95
The 2012 Foreign Affair Conspiracy, an appassimento stile wine, is composed of late-in-the-fall harvested Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot that were subsequently aged in French, Hungarian and American oaks. It has intense notes of raspberry, cranberry, pomegranate and coconut and vanilla on both the nose and palate. It is a medium to full bodied, extra dry, fruity to integrated wine; with refreshing acidity, refined tannins and a long and smooth finish. It is food friendly, but enjoy on-its-own; drink now – 2020+. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts – recommended for both, quality and value. Tasted Mar/14 at Cuvée en Route http://grapeselections.com/cuvee-2014/
See my wine recommendations readily available at the LCBO here:
http://grapeselections.com/grapeselections
or here @
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Villa Maria Cellar Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2012, Marlborough, South Island
Marlborough, New Zealand$19.95
The 2012 Villa Maria Cellar Selection Sauvignon Blanc has intense aromas of quince, lime, honey and subtle asparagus and lees. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, fruity wine; with crisp acidity and a long, creamy finish. Enjoy on-its-own or drink with salads/seafood; drink now – 2018-2020. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 90 pts – recommended for its quality. Tasted Jan/14 at dinner at Rosewater Supper Club tasting Villa Maria wines with winemaker Josh Hammond http://grapeselections.com/villa-maria-dinner/
See my wine recommendations readily available at the LCBO here:
http://grapeselections.com/grapeselections
or here @
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Pirramimma Stock's Hill Grenache Shiraz Mataro 2011
Australia$17.05
The 2011 Pirramimma Stock’s Hill GSM has appealing aromas of red currant and blackberry. It is a medium to full bodied, extra-dry, fruity wine; with forward, refreshing acidity, refined tannins and a medium finish. Enjoy with food or by itself; drink now – 2018+. My impression: NICE, 88-89 pts – recommended for its value (since it is discounted by the LCBO).
Tasted at Australia Today 2014 Trade show http://grapeselections.com/australian-wine/ in Feb/14.
See my wine recommendations readily available at the LCBO here:
http://grapeselections.com/grapeselections
or here @
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Château Des Charmes Cuvée D'andrée Rosé 2013, VQA Niagara On The Lake, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$14.95
The 2013 Château des Charmes Cuvée d’Andrée Rosé has sweet nose full of raspberry, grapefruit and lemon aromas on the nose and grapefruit and raspberry on the palate. It is a light to medium bodied, off-dry, fruity wine; with good acidity and a medium finish. This is a food friendly wine; drink now to 2017 (screw cap enclosure). My impression: NICE, 87 pts - tasted Apr/14.
See my wine recommendations readily available at the LCBO here:
http://grapeselections.com/grapeselections
or here @
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Kenwood Zinfandel 2011, Sonoma County
California, Usa$19.95
The 2011 Kenwood Zinfandel, sourced from Sonoma County, has attractive aromas cigar box, tobacco, vanilla, sour cherry, red currant and pine on the nose and red currant, dates, oak and vanilla on the palate. It is a medium bodied, dry, fruity wine; with refreshing acidity, dusty tannins and a medium finish. This is a food friendly and sipping wine; drink now and for the next 3-5 years. My impression: NICE, 89 pts. Tasted in Apr/14 at 'California Wine Fair' http://grapeselections.com/grapeselections/wine-reviews/.
See my wine recommendations readily available at the LCBO here:
http://grapeselections.com/grapeselections
or here @
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
3.0 Stars
(0)G
Huff Estates Pinot Gris 2012, VQA Ontario
Ontario, Canada$14.75
The 2012 Huff Estates Pinot Gris has appealing aromas of wet slate minerality, lime, gooseberry and stems. It is a light bodied, extra-dry, fruity wine; quite acidic and with short finish. Drink this wine with food; drink now – 2017 (cork enclosure). My impression: NOTHING SPECIAL 86-87 pts. Tasted at 'County in the City' event http://grapeselections.com/county-in-the-city-2014/ in Apr/14.
See my wine recommendations readily available at the LCBO here:
http://grapeselections.com/grapeselections
or here @
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Stanners Chardonnay Lincoln Lakeshore 2012, VQA Lincoln Lakeshore
Ontario, Canada$23.00
The 2012 Stanners Vineyard Chardonnay that was partially fermented in Ontario oak barrels has intense aromas of green apple, yellow apple and oak. It is a light to medium bodied, dry, fruity wine; with crisp acidity and medium finish. This is a food friendly wine, drink now 2018+ (cork enclosure). My impression: NICE, 89 pts. Tasted at 'County in the City' event http://grapeselections.com/county-in-the-city-2014/ in Apr/14.
See my wine recommendations readily available at the LCBO here:
http://grapeselections.com/grapeselections
or here @
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy
3.0 Stars